To get the update, click on the Apple logo at the top left corner of the screen and choose “Software Update.” If you’ve kept your computer current on available updates you should only see the update for the Airport Utility. If you’ve fallen behind in updating your computer, go ahead and update everything by clicking on “Install Update.” When the update process is complete you may need to restart your computer if you’re updating multiple items. After you’ve completed all the updating, you’ll want to open Airport Utility to update the firmware of any Airport Extreme, Airport Express, or Time Capsule devices connected to your network. Once inside the Airport Utility, click on the device. An “Update Firmware” option should appear.

Updating the firmware for the device will remove it from the network momentarily while the update is applied, so it’s best to make sure no one else is using the network for downloads, video streaming, or other various online activities. This latest firmware update, alongside the Airport Utility update, simplifies the interface of the Airport device and makes things a little more approachable. I was worried at first, but it looks like all the same features are there, they just look a little different. If you’ve got any questions about the update before you begin or after, let me know in the comments.

What makes Action Movie FX so great is the fact that it lays special effects over the video you shoot, making it possible to turn any scene into an over the top action sequence. The effects themselves are usually never over three seconds in length, making it possible to take multiple shots with a variety of effects until you get one that looks the best.

Action Movie FX is free, and includes three effects with more effects available through in app purchases. Each pack is $.99 and includes two additional effects.

One of the biggest problems with iCloud’s file syncing is that it lacks the ability to be accessed directly from a Computer in the form of a folder. The way iCloud works is very “hands off” compared to MobileMe. This is both a good and a bad thing. This mitigates frustration from users from inadvertently deleting important data, creating duplicate contacts and calendar events, and keeps iCloud free of costs with the basic 5GB storage plan. The downside of keeping things so simple is that many services have been removed or completely changed to accommodate all users. Thankfully, there is a simple way to get access to iCloud’s files so you can use it more like iDisk.

Step one is to make sure that “Documents & Data” is checked within the iCloud settings of System Preferences. Now we need to make sure that you can access your user Library folder. When Apple introduced Lion, they made the user Library folder “hidden” to stop Mac users from messing with it. The Library folder is where many support and preference settings are stored. Think of it as a safety deposit box in a bank. You typically don’t need to change much, if anything, that goes into it. In this case, we need to get in.

To access the Library, click on the Finder icon in your dock. Next, hold down the “option” key on your keyboard while clicking on “Go” from the menu bar.

There it is! Library will be visible as long as you keep the option key held down. After you click on Library, scroll down until you see “Mobile Documents.” This is the folder that contains all the documents that are being synced with iCloud.

Remember to NOT delete, rename, or move any of the folders that are already present. However, you can add as many new folders to the Mobile Documents folder as you want, provided you have enough iCloud storage. While being able to use iCloud is all well and good, it’s a hassle to have to repeat these steps every time you want to access the Mobile Documents folder.

That’s why it’s a good idea to make an alias. An alias, in a nutshell, is a shortcut to a file, folder or application. Right click on the Mobile Documents folder and select “Make Alias.” You can move the alias anywhere on your computer you’d like, I have mine in my normal Documents folder, just to keep things simple. Now you have instant access to your iCloud storage to do with what you will.

First, head to your System Preferences for your Mac and click on “Security & Privacy.”

Make sure that the “General” tab, towards the top of the window, is selected and click on the lock icon at the bottom left corner of the window. When you’re prompted, type in your user password. This will enable you to check the box next to the text field where you can type in your message. I would also recommend making sure the box next to “Disable automatic login” is checked, because otherwise restarting the computer will defeat the purpose of having your lock-screen message.

Personally, I set it up so that if I were to ever lose my Mac, whoever finds it could get in touch with me. However, if you own a desktop Mac or aren’t concerned with losing a laptop Mac, you could also setup a fun or threatening message should you so choose. All there is to do now is close System Preferences and relax in the assurance that you have a custom message at your lock-screen.

To break it down, these bills would allow the government and copyright holders to shut down websites with infringing content or restrict payment to such websites. Imagine sites like YouTube being turned off because someone was dancing in a video to a Michael Jackson song. Not just the webpage, the entire site! A little extreme, but essentially these bills could allow for such action to be commonplace.

A number of companies, namely those with websites who could be easily taken down should these bills pass, are performing a black-out today. Wikipedia, for example, will not be fully functional until sometime later this evening in protest of these bills. Along with the black-out, most of the websites are providing detailed information about these bills, as well as ways to contact local representatives to voice opinion.

If you are curious about these bills or want more information, I’ve provided links below to help you get started.

The Consumerist – Why SOPA is Bad for Everyone

Electronic Frontier Foundation – Contact Your Representative

Reddit.com – An FAQ About the Bills

Amy Morby, our beloved graphic designer, blog writer and contest organizer, has parted ways with Simply Mac for greener grass and bluer skies. Amy worked with Simply Mac for almost a year and a half and her first blog post was for a contest giveaway, which just goes to show the kind of foundation she started here. While we at Simply Mac take some time to wish her well in all her future endeavors, I want to assure all our fans that the Simply Mac blog will continue to bring you all the fun and information to which you’ve grown so accustomed.

My name is Mat Bitner, and I have been with Simply Mac for nearly three years. I started as a Product Consultant, then an instructor in our awesome Simply Answers program, next to our Downtown store as Assistant Manager, and finally where I am now as Simply Mac’s Customer Experience Strategist. I’ll be taking up the mantel Amy left behind and hope to bring you all the latest in the world of Apple, as well as provide new information about the Macs you currently own.

 
If you start having Amy “withdraws,” hit up her website to satiate your cravings. Best of luck Amy.

What sets this version apart is the ability to control the game via iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. You can also play using your keyboard, or even a trackpad. To play with your iDevice, you just tilt it like a steering wheel and you can experience the thrill of controlling your on screen car with your handheld device.

All the setup instructions are in the game’s control settings, and I found it relatively simple to get racing with my iMac being controlled by my iPhone 4. Real Racing 2 currently retails in the Mac App Store for $12.99

These free wallpapers turn your screen into an iDevice x-ray, letting you see the innards of your favorite Apple product. There’s one for the 21.5″ iMac, the 27″ iMac, the iPhone 4, and the iPad. They can all be downloaded for free here.

Enjoy and happy weekend!

Go to Settings > Notifications and scroll down to select the app you’d like to disable the notification for. Scroll down to “Badge App Icon” and swipe it to “off.” You are now red-badge-of-discontent free!

While you’re in there, you’ll also notice that you can still show alerts in the notification center, but you just won’t get the stupid red badges.